Natural Infection of the Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus spp.) with Echinococcus granulosus in China

Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are important zoonotic pathogens that cause serious disease in humans. E. granulosus can be transmitted through sylvatic cycles, involving wild carnivores and ungulates; or via domestic cycles, usually involving dogs and farm livestock. E. multilocularis is primarily maintained in a sylvatic life-cycle between foxes and rodents. As part of extensive investigations that we undertook to update available epidemiological data and to monitor the transmission patterns of both E. granulosus and E. mulilocularis in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) in northwest China, we captured small mammals on the southern slopes of Yueliang Mountain, Xiji, an area co-endemic for human alveolar echinococcosis and cystic echinococcosis. Of 500 trapped small mammals (mainly ground squirrels; Spermophilus dauricus/alashanicus), macroscopic cyst-like lesions (size range 1–10 mm) were found on the liver surface of approximately 10% animals. One of the lesions was shown by DNA analysis to be caused by E. granulosus and by histology to contain viable protoscoleces. This is the first report of a natural infection of the ground squirrel with E. granulosus. We have no definitive proof of a cycle involving ground squirrels and dogs/foxes but it is evident that there is active E. granulosus transmission occurring in this area

dal'nejjshie issledovanija problemy myshechnykh trikhinell vystupajushhikh v organakh lishennykh polosatykh myshc

The present paper sets forth the negative results obtained by the authors from further investigation by the digestive and biological methods of the viscera of 15 experimental trichinellized pigs for the presence of muscle trichinae. On the basis of the results of these investigations and the results of their earlier studies, undertaken with the aim of checking the veracity of Hill's findings of muscle trichinae in viscera of trichinous swine, the authours make an analysis of Lukashenko's findings of muscle trichinae in viscera of trichinous swine, cats, rabbits, guinea-pigs and rats and the findings by Ketz in the cardiac muscle and the kidneys of trichinous hamsters. Contrary to Lukashenko and Keiz, the authors confirm their initial standpoint (1963) that no muscle trichinae develop and are encountered in viscera devoid of striated muscle fibres of swine and other animals.Jest to dalsza seria ujemnych wyników, uzyskanych metodami wytrawiania i biologiczną, w poszukiwaniu włośni mięśniowych w narządach trzewiowych 15 doświadczalnie zarażonych świń. W oparciu o te wyniki i rezultaty poprzedniej pracy, podjętej dla potwierdzenia danych Hilla, który spotkał larwy pasożyta w trzewiach zarażonych świń, autorzy poddali analizie wyniki Łukaszenki. który także znajdował larwy w narządach świń, kotów, królików, świnek morskich i szczurów, oraz dane Ketza, opisującego włośnie w mięśniu serca i w nerkach zarażonych chomików. Wbrew danym Łukaszenki i Ketza autorzy tej pracy potwierdzają swój wcześniejszy pogląd (1963), że larwy mięśniowe nie rozwijają się ani też nie występują w narządach trzewiowych pozbawionych włókien mięśni prążkowanych świń lub innych zwierząt

Zoonotic helminths affecting the human eye

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Nowaday, zoonoses are an important cause of human parasitic diseases worldwide and a major threat to the socio-economic development, mainly in developing countries. Importantly, zoonotic helminths that affect human eyes (HIE) may cause blindness with severe socio-economic consequences to human communities. These infections include nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, which may be transmitted by vectors (dirofilariasis, onchocerciasis, thelaziasis), food consumption (sparganosis, trichinellosis) and those acquired indirectly from the environment (ascariasis, echinococcosis, fascioliasis). Adult and/or larval stages of HIE may localize into human ocular tissues externally (i.e., lachrymal glands, eyelids, conjunctival sacs) or into the ocular globe (i.e., intravitreous retina, anterior and or posterior chamber) causing symptoms due to the parasitic localization in the eyes or to the immune reaction they elicit in the host. Unfortunately, data on HIE are scant and mostly limited to case reports from different countries. The biology and epidemiology of the most frequently reported HIE are discussed as well as clinical description of the diseases, diagnostic considerations and video clips on their presentation and surgical treatment.</p> <p><b><it>Homines amplius oculis, quam auribus credunt</it></b></p> <p><b>Seneca Ep 6,5</b></p> <p><b>Men believe their eyes more than their ears</b></p